Disposable non-spillable childs dispensing cup

ABSTRACT

A disposable sealed drink container suitable for use by a child to imbibe liquids and possessing a shape and size adapted for use in conventional drink dispensing machines including aluminum can vending machines and plastic bottle vending machines. The container includes a sealed impermeable vessel to suitable for containing a beverage, an extended spout designed to resist leakage when tipped and allow fluid to flow when suction is applied, and a protective cap.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to containers that are specially adapted for usein can and bottle drink vending machines that enable dispensing of achild's disposable drinking cup containing beverage and possessing anextended mouthpiece that resists fluid flow when inverted, but allowsadequate flow when suction is applied.

Children's cups possessing an extended spout for placing in the child'smouth and drinking from, commonly referred to as “sippy cups” and“sipper cups,” have provided a convenient method of providing beverageto children while reducing spills associated with a young person's lackof motor skills. Sippy cups possess an extended spout that can be placedin a child's mouth. The spouts generally restrict fluid flow if the cupis inverted by means of valves and/or possessing small apertures throughwhich the fluid must flow. When suction is applied the resistance tofluid flow is reduced allowing the child to drink.

Vending machines do not currently dispense drinks contained in drinkingbottles or cans suitable for young children. When running errands,caretakers have to pack drinks and bottles for their children. If theyoung child needs a drink or bottle and the caretaker has not packedany, the caretaker has to sit and hold the cup for the young child, gointo a store for a bottle, or even stop the errands altogether and gohome.

Present drink vending machines carry beverages and juices, but the cansand bottles presently available in such vending machines do notsufficiently restrict the flow of liquid to prevent spills if the bottleis inverted. The openings of such bottles and cans are also awkward fora small child to drink from.

Present sipper cups, while better capable of reducing spills and morebiometrically suited for small children than cans or current drinkbottles, are not readily adaptable for use in conventional drink vendingmachines such that a drink machine service company could easily add sucha product to a vending machine's inventory for caretaker's toconveniently purchase.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Provided is a disposable drinking container suitable for use by a childand adapted to be dispensed from a drink vending machine. The containerincludes a vessel containing a liquid beverage, a releasable sealattached to the top of the vessel containing the liquid, the vesselhaving an upper portion having an extended spout, and a removable cap.The container is an appropriate shape and size for dispensing from avending machine. The shape of the product allows for its use inconventional drink dispensing machines used in theme parks, shoppingcenters, restaurants and the like including aluminum can dispensingmachines and plastic and glass bottle dispensing machines. Ideally thedrinking container is lightweight and biodegradable. A releasablyattached safety seal protects the contents of the container until thechild is ready to consume its contents.

The extended spout contains an aperture or apertures to allow fluid toflow when suction is applied but resists fluid flow when the cup isinverted. Such function may be accomplished by any means known to thosein the art including appropriate selection of the aperture dimensionsand employment of valves. The extended spout is dimensioned tocomfortably fit in a child's mouth. The content of the vessel iscontained by a safety seal releasably attached to the top of the vessel.The extended spout and safety seal are protected by a removable capreleasably attached to the vessel. In the preferred embodiment of thecontainer, the cap is threadably attached to the vessel and secured witha tamper evident seal extending around the circumference of theinterface between the cap and the vessel.

Typically, a child's caretaker will purchase the container for the childfrom a convenient vending machine. The parent then will remove anddiscard the cap and safety seal. The caretaker then will attach theupper portion of the vessel to the lower portion of the vessel and handthe assembled vessel to the child. The child may then insert theextended spout in his or her mouth, invert the vessel, and suck thebeverage from the vessel. The parent will then be able continue withtheir errands or drive with knowledge that the vessel will reduce oreliminate spills in the event the child was to tip or drop the drink.

A drink machine service company will be able to add vendible sippy cupproducts to the available selections on a standard drink machine withoutthe need to invest in new equipment. Such an expansion of their productlines will expand their customer base by attracting caretakers of youngchildren.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred construction of the invention is illustrated by theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of the container possessing the shape and sizeof a standard 20-ounce drink bottle;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the container possessing the shape and size ofa standard 12-ounce drink can;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section of the container shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the container shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section of a drink container with a snap on sippyclosure having a hinged seal cap, and

FIG. 7 is a perspective of the closure shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in the accompanying drawings a disposable drinkingcontainer is shown for containing a liquid beverage, suitable for use bya child and adapted to be dispensed from a drink vending machine orequally convenient for a caretaker, may be purchased free standing atany number of locations such as convenience stores, theme parks orrestaurants. The container is generally constructed from a resilientpolymer based material suitable for use as a beverage container. In thepreferred embodiment, the components will be of a biodegradable and/orrecyclable material. Other materials may be used, including metal,paper, cardboard, and expanded polymers. FIG. 1 shows a perspective viewof an embodiment of the invention with a shape of a standard 20-ouncedrink bottle 11. The outside surface the assembled container 11approximately defines a surface of revolution about a vertical axis 13.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the container 11 which has a vesselincludes an upper portion 41 snap fit onto a lower portion 21. Thecontainer 11 also includes a safety seal 31, a cap 61, and a tamperevident seal 71. The lower portion 21 possesses an opening 25 and anannular rim 23. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lowerportion 21 has external threads 27 possessing a minor diameter greaterthan the outside diameter of the upper portion 41, thereby enabling cap61, possessing internal threads 63 dimensioned to mate with the externalthreads 27, to fit over the rim 23. Thus there is no interferencebetween the internal threads 63 and the upper portion 41 when the cap 61is removably secured to the lower portion 21 or removed therefrom. Thetamper evident seal 71, may or may not be present around thecircumference of the container 11 covering the joint between the cap 61and the vessel 21, 41 where, if present, would be irreparably damagedupon removal of the cap 61.

The upper portion 41 possesses an extended spout 43 adapted to be placedcomfortably within a child's mouth. The extended spout 43 possesses atleast one aperture 45 adapted to resist flow of liquid when the vessel21, 41 is tipped or dropped, but allow flow of liquid when suction isapplied, such as when the extended spout 43 is placed within a child'smouth and the child is sucking. The vessel 21, 41 may also have a ventaperture 47 adapted to allow air to flow into the vessel 21, 41, butresist the flow of fluid out of the vessel 21, 41 when tipped ordropped. The apertures 45, 47 may possess one or more valves adapted toresist fluid flow out of the vessel 21, 41 when dropped or tipped, butallow fluid to flow when suction is applied to the extended spout 43.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the invention wherein the outsidesurface of the container 111 possesses the size and shape of a standard12-ounce drink can. The container 111 includes a lower portion 121connected to a cap 161, and a removably secured tamper evident seal 71.FIG. 4 shows a vertical section of the container 111 furtherillustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention filled with aliquid 5, such as a fruit juice, juice cocktail, or milk, and ready fordistribution in a standard drink can vending machine. Seal 31 may beconstructed from but is not limited to a polymer, metallic foil, or acombination thereof, and is releasably attached to the rim 23 of thevessel 121, 41 preferably in a manner that would prevent resealing ofthe safety seal 31 to the rim 23. The tamper evident seal 71 isreleasably attached to the container 111 such that removal of the cap161 from the vessel 121, 41 would destroy, permanently deform, or breakthe tamper evident seal 71. FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of theembodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a plastic container 171 dispensable by presentday vending machines which has a cylindrical drink containing lowerportion or cup 172 and a one piece snap-on top portion 173. The topportion 173 includes a lid 174 having a snap-on fit with the lowerportion 172 and a cap 176 hinged to and interconnected with the lid 174by a narrow flexible web 177. The web 177 fits in a slot 181 in the sidewall 182 of the cap 176 so that in the closed position of the cap 176shown in FIG. 6, the web 177 aligns with and does not extend radiallyoutward beyond the cylindrical side wall 182 of the cap 176. The lid 174has an upstanding sippy or drinking spout 186 with an orfice 187 at itsupper end. An annular ridge 188 extends radially outward from the spout186 near its upper end and present a radially outward facing sealingsurface. The lid also has an upstanding vent 191 with an orifice 192 anda radially outward annular ridge 193. As shown in FIG. 6, the cap 176includes downwardly extending cylindrical connectors 196, 197, each ofwhich have a radially inward facing sealing surface. The connectors 196,197 have a snap-on sealing fit with the sippy spout 186 and the vent191, respectively, when the cap 176 is in its illustrated closedposition. A tamper evident seal 199 completes the sealing of theillustrated sippy drink container.

It is understood that the vessel 21, 41 or 121, 41 may be filled withthe beverage 5 and sealed with the safety seal 31. When dispensed thevessel is in an assembled condition as shown by FIG. 1 or 3. Upon beingdispensed from a standard drink bottle or can vending machine, thecaretaker of a small child breaks and discards the tamper evident seal71 and removes the cap 61 or 161. The caretaker then unsnaps the upperportion 41 from the lower portion 21 or 121 and lifts pull tab 33connected to safety seal 31 creating an opening. The caretaker then maydiscard the safety seal 31. The caretaker then re-secures the upperportion 41 to the rim 23 of the lower portion 21 or 121 and gives thechild the reassembled vessel 21, 41 or 121, 41 for drinking. Uponcompletion of consumption of the beverage, the components of thecontainer 11 or 111 may be discarded, recycled, or cleaned and reused bythe caretaker.

It should be understand that various modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, otherembodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

1. A container for fluids suitable for human consumption having anoutermost exterior substantially defining a surface of revolution abouta vertical axis and sized for use in a drink vending machine, saidcontainer comprising: a vessel having an upper portion and a lowerportion, said upper portion having an extended spout at its upper endsized to be placed in a human mouth, said spout having a tip with anaperture designed to resist leakage when tipped and allow fluid to flowwhen suction is applied, and said lower portion for containing saidfluid; a releasable seal attached to said vessel to prevent fluid egressfrom said vessel; and a cap releasable attached to the top of saidvessel forming an enclosure protecting said extended spout.
 2. Thecontainer of claim 1 wherein the inside diameter of said cap is greaterthan the exterior diameter of said upper portion of said vessel.
 3. Thecontainer of claim 1 in which said vessel and said cap have matinglyengageable threads permitting releasable connection of said cap to saidvessel.
 4. The container of claim 1 in which said upper portion containsa vent aperture allowing air to enter said vessel when suction isapplied to said extended spout but resists leakage when tipped.
 5. Thecontainer of claim 1 in which said upper portion contains a valveallowing air to enter said vessel when suction is applied to saidextended spout but results leakage when tipped.
 6. The container ofclaim 1 in which said upper portion contains a valve allowing fluid toflow when suction is applied and resist leakage when tipped.
 7. Thecontainer of claim 1 in which said upper portion and said lower portionare releasably secured to one another.
 8. The container of claim 7 inwhich the top of said lower portion has an opening and an annular rim towhich said releasable seal is attached.
 9. The container of claim 8 inwhich said upper portion and said rim of said lower portion are adaptedto releasably snap fit together.
 10. The container of claim 1 in whichsaid lower portion and said cap have matingly engageable threads. 11.The container of claim 1 having a width in the range of 52 mm to 76 mmand a height in the range of 92 mm to 306 mm.
 12. The container of claim1 having the shape, height and width permitting said container to bedispensed by a soda can vending machine.
 13. The container of claim 1having the shape, height and width permitting said container to bedispensed by a soda bottle vending machine drink bottle.
 14. Thecontainer of claim 1 having a releasably attached tamper evident sealencircling the outer surfaces of said cap and said vessel at theirjunction.
 15. A container for fluids for human consumption having anexterior substantially defining a surface of revolution, comprising: alower portion having an annular opening at its upper end, and a unitaryupper portion including a lid hinged to a cap, said lid including aupstanding sippy spout with a vertical opening and an upstanding venthaving a central vertical opening, said spout and vent having radialsealing surfaces, said cap including downward protrusions for sealingengagement with said spout and vent.
 16. A method of expanding a vendingmachine customer base by merchandising a vendible sippy cut containingbeverage by placing the beverage in a container having an extended spoutthat resists leakage when tipped but allows fluid to flow when suctionis applied, said container having a shape and size that can be vended asa sealed container from a refrigerated vending machine.